Stack-former.



c. A. HITUHGOGK. STAGK FORMER. AP PLIOATIOH FILED 0OT.9, 1,908.

923,844. 1 Y Patented June 8,1909.

WITNESSES INVENTOR M Mam Allorncy 4 rm: NORRIS PETERS co-, wnsnmurou, u. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES A. HIIGHOOGK, OF PANA, ILLINOIS.

STACK-FORMER.

To all whom "it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES A. HITCH- oook, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pana, in the county of Christian and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Stack-Formers; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to formers or frames used in connection with stacking straw, hay, and other substances, until the material has been stacked to a height above the danger point; and it consists in the novel construction and combination of the parts hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of the top end of the former. Fig. 2 is a front view of several of the side bars and their connections, drawn to a larger scale. Fig. 3 is a side view of one of the side bars. Fig. r is a plan view of one of the springclip fasteners.

A are the side bars of the stack former. Each side bar consists of a series of rod sections secured together by sockets B. The sockets B are secured to the end portions of the rod sections in any approved manner, and they are provided with laterally projecting eyes 6.

C are flexible connections, such as chains, cords, or wires, which are secured to the eyes I). The flexible connections C are arranged horizontally in circular form, and, together with the side bars, they form a flaring frame or former.

The side bars are curved so that the frame is smaller at its bottom end than at its top, and so that the stack may be made of ap proved form by piling the material within the frame until the stack rises above the danger point of slipping. The desired curvature of each side bar is obtained by arranging the second bar section at an angle to the bottom bar section, and by arranging the third bar section at an angle to the second bar section but in the reverse direction,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed October 9, 1908.

Patented June 8, 1909. Serial No. 456,879.

I and by arranging the remaining bar sections step by step at angles with each other and in the same direction in regular order. The top part of the stack, above the frame, is formed in the usual manner.

In order to remove the former or frame from the stack, one series C of the flexible connections is provided with fastening clips D. Each clip D is formed of two diverging spring jaws which are connected to the connections C.

The free ends of the jaws have grooves 05 which engage with the rod sections of the adjacent side bar. Rings E are arranged to slide upon the spring clips so as to hold the jaws in engagement with the side bar when pushed toward the free end portions of the jaws. The rod sections are preferably formed of small steel bars, and the sockets stiffen the side bars and enable light and small rod sections to be used.

What I claim is l. A collapsible former for the lower part of a stack, comprising a series of curved side-bars, each side-bar being formed of a multiplicity of bar sections arranged step by step at angles with each other in regular order to form the curved lower part of the stack, sockets connecting the said bar sections together, and flexible connections only extending between the said sockets.

2. A former for the lower part of a stack, comprising a series of curved side-bars, each side-bar being formed of a multiplicity of bar sections arranged step by step at angles with each other in regular order, sockets connecting the said bar sections together, flexible connections extending between the said sockets, and disengageable spring-clips provided with slidable locking-links and in serted in certain of the said flexible connections.

In testimony whereof I have afiixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES A. HITCHCOCK.

IrVitnesses I. M. KLINEFELTER, 

